Former North Smithfield Cop Arrested

Former North Smithfield Cop Arrested

Posted By
Attorney Robert H. Humprhey

As reported by Richard Salit in the January 22, 2015 edition of the Providence
Journal, a former North Smithfield police officer has been arrested and
charged with obtaining money under false pretenses. The man is accused
of receiving tuition assistance for his children at URI because he claimed
he was disabled. However, the man was working as an attorney at the time.
The man previously worked for the North Smithfield Police Department.

Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 11-41-4, obtaining money under false
pretenses is defined as every person who shall obtain from another designedly,
by any false pretense or pretenses, any money, goods, wares, or other
property, with intent to cheat or defraud, and every person who shall
personate another or who shall falsely represent himself or herself to
be the agent or servant of another and shall receive any money or other
property intended to be delivered to the person so personated, or to the
alleged principal or master of that agent or servant, shall be deemed
guilty of larceny.

There is misdemeanor larceny and felony larceny based on the value of the
monies or goods that were involved. Misdemeanor larceny includes goods
worth $1,500.00 or less, whereas felony larceny is for goods valued at
over $1,500.00 or any firearm. The man is charged with felony misappropriation
of funds. It is alleged he received over $42,000.00 in tuition assistance.

The penalties if convicted of felony larceny include imprisonment for not
more than ten (10) years or by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars
($5,000), or both. The penalties if convicted of misdemeanor larceny include
imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than
five hundred dollars ($500), or both.